Bulgaria National Anthem

Key Facts

• 1. Radoslavov wrote both the lyrics and the music
• 2. The original version was a patriotic song written during wartime that gradually evolved into the state anthem
• 3. Bulgaria replaced its anthem three times between 1947 and 1964: 'Shumi Maritsa', the anthem of the monarchy, was followed in 1947 by the march 'Republiko nasha, zdravey!', in 1951 by 'Balgariyo mila' and in 1964 by 'Mila Rodino'
• 4. In 1964 two new verses were added, one of them naming Moscow and the Communist Party; both were dropped after the fall of communism, leaving a single verse and the refrain